Postage franking device and method

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a postage franking device that includes a scale, an envelope holder and a printer. The envelope holder is suspended from the scale and defines a print zone. The printer, which is supported by the holder, is configured to apply imaging material to an envelope in the print zone.

1. A postage franking device, comprising:
 a scale; 
 an envelope holder suspended from the scale, the holder defining a print zone at a location on an envelope proper for franking when the envelope is held in the holder in a correct position for franking; and 
 a printer integral to the holder, the printer configured to apply imaging material to an envelope in the print zone. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the holder has an opening therein defining the print zone. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the printer is movable across the print zone. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the printer comprises a stationary printer covering the print zone. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the holder is pivotally suspended from the scale. 
     
     
       6. A postage franking device, comprising:
 a scale; 
 an envelope holder suspended from the scale, the holder defining a print zone at a location on an envelope proper for franking when the envelope is held in the holder in a correct position for franking; 
 a printer integral to the holder, the printer movable across the print zone; and 
 a controller electronically coupled to the scale and the printer, the controller configured to receive information from the scale and direct the printer to print a desired postage in response to information received from the scale. 
 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6 , wherein information from the scale corresponds to the weight of an envelope held in the holder and the controller is configured to determine the desired postage based on information received from the scale. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 6 , wherein the printer is automatically movable across the print zone at the direction of the controller. 
     
     
       9. A postage franking device, comprising:
 a scale; 
 an envelope holder pivotally suspended from the scale, the holder having an opening therein defining a print zone and the holder pivotable between a first position in which the holder and the scale are aligned with one another and a second position in which the holder and the scale are angled with respect to one another; and 
 a movable printer supported by the holder, the printer configured to print a desired postage on an envelope in the print zone. 
 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 9 , wherein the movable printer is configured to print the postage based on a signal from the scale corresponding to the weight of an envelope. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a controller electronically coupled to the scale and the printer, the controller configured to receive the signal from the scale corresponding to the weight of an envelope and direct the printer to print the postage based on the signal received from the scale. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the scale is operative to generate the signal when the holder and the scale are aligned with one another. 
     
     
       13. A postage franking device, comprising:
 a scale; 
 an envelope holder pivotally suspended from the scale, the holder having an opening therein defining a print zone at a location on an envelope proper for franking when the envelope is held in the holder in a correct position for franking; 
 a carriage movably mounted to the holder adjacent to the print zone; 
 a printer carried by the carriage; 
 a motor; 
 a lead screw operatively connected to the carriage and the motor such that, upon rotation of the lead screw at the urging of the motor, the carriage carries the printer back and forth across the print zone; and 
 a controller electronically coupled to the scale, the printer and the motor, the controller configured to receive information from the scale, start and stop the motor to drive the carriage back and forth across the print zone and direct the printer to print a desired postage in response to information received from the scale. 
 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a first sensor supported by the holder near the print zone, the first sensor electronically coupled to the controller and the first sensor operative to output a signal to the controller indicating the envelope is in the correct franking position in the print zone. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 14 , further comprising an indicator light responsive to the output signal from the first sensor. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a second sensor supported by the holder near the print zone, the second sensor electronically coupled to the controller and the second sensor operative to output a signal to the controller indicating the position of the printer along the print zone. 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 16 , wherein the second sensor comprises an encoder strip on the holder and an encoder strip reader on the carriage. 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a printer service station supported by the holder at one end of the print zone. 
     
     
       19. The device of  claim 13 , wherein the controller resides on the printer. 
     
     
       20. A postage franking method, comprising:
 suspending an envelope from a scale; 
 weighing the suspended envelope with the scale; 
 determining postage for the envelope based on the weight of the envelope; and 
 printing the postage on the suspended envelope. 
 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20 , wherein the act of suspending comprises inserting the envelope into a holder and suspending the holder from the scale. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 20 , further comprising sensing when the envelope reaches a proper position in the holder and wherein the act of weighing is performed after the act of sensing. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 20 , wherein the act of printing includes automatically moving a printer across a portion of the envelope. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 20 , wherein the act of printing includes manually moving a printer across a portion of the envelope. 
     
     
       25. A postage franking method, comprising:
 suspending an envelope from a scale; 
 weighing the suspended envelope; 
 determining postage for the envelope based on the weight of the envelope; 
 moving a printer across a portion of the suspended envelope; 
 monitoring the position of the printer moving across the envelope; and 
 as the printer is moving across the envelope, printing the postage on the suspended envelope. 
 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 25 , further comprising automatically servicing the printer. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the envelope holder defining a print zone at a location on an envelope proper for franking when the envelope is held in the holder in a correct position for franking comprises the envelope holder defining a print zone at an upper right hand corner of an envelope when the envelope is held in the holder in a correct position for franking. 
     
     
       28. A postage franking device, comprising:
 a head including a scale and a power source operatively connected to the scale; and 
 a body pivotally suspended from the head and operatively connected to the scale, the body including an envelope holder, a printer, and a sensor operatively to sense the presence of an envelope in a correct position for franking, the scale operative to provide an electronic signal indicative of a weight of an envelope held in the body and the printer operative to apply imaging material to an envelope in the correct position for franking. 
 
     
     
       29. The device of  claim 28 , wherein the envelope holder comprises opposing jaws forming a slot into which an envelope may be inserted and one or both jaws having a envelope gripping feature for holding the envelope in the slot.